Hillside Park

Pros

• The leasing office manager and the assistant are fantastic.
• They are patient with residents' questions and offer suggestions for local businesses.
• The maintenance team responds quickly and handles issues professionally.
• The office staff are friendly and manage the property extremely well.
• The management staff are friendly, caring, and fair, making residents feel at home.
• Zen Diamond / Zen Senior Living is very clean with well-kept grounds and amenities like a sauna, swimming pool, recreation room, library, pool table, and lounge.
• The security patrol makes safety a priority.
• The service staff are friendly and helpful, contributing to a quiet and safe community.

Cons

• The unit is roach-infested, making it disgusting and forcing residents to spray, trap, or bait pests.
• The rent of $1,500 is perceived as too high for the value, especially since residents must pay for utilities.
• The property is not cleaned properly before move-in, leaving issues for new tenants.
• Some residents have dogs and do not pick up after them, with management not taking action.
• Closet doors and kitchen drawers do not operate properly.
• There are people who hop the walls into the complex, signaling security concerns.
• Constant smoking leaks into units, and the policy allowing outdoor smoking is not effectively preventing indoor intrusion.
• The manager Raquel is described as unprofessional and hostile, with instances of yelling at tenants.
• Sudden utility charges are viewed as extortion-like and are said to be enforced without clear explanation.

Review

Residents describe Zen Diamond / Zen Senior Living in Hemet, California as a place with very pleasant, well-kept common areas and a clear sense that the on-site team can be responsive and supportive. Across multiple accounts, the leasing office manager and the assistant manager are repeatedly praised for their patience, helpfulness, and willingness to offer local recommendations. Several long-term tenants note that the property itself is clean, the grounds are well kept, and the overall living environment can feel calm and safe. In particular, several reviews highlight quick, attentive maintenance when requests are made, and there is strong affection for individual staff members who go above and beyond to assist residents.

On the maintenance side, the experience is often highlighted as a standout positive. Tenants frequently point to prompt responses when problems arise, with maintenance requests handled in short order - some reviewers mention responses within minutes or hours and problem resolution within the same day. Specific staff names appear repeatedly with praise: KC is cited as a reliable maintenance contact who arrives swiftly, and Casey and Julian are described as courteous, professional, and effective at solving issues. Beyond the emergency or urgent repairs, residents note that the maintenance team keeps the property in good order, with stories of attentive follow-through on work orders and consistently courteous service. For many, these experiences reinforce a sense that, when issues occur, the team is capable and responsive.

Despite the positive experiences with staff and maintenance, there is a strong chorus of concerns about value and cost. A recurring line across reviews is that the rent, quoted at around $1,500 in several accounts, does not feel commensurate with the overall package if utilities are included or if residents are expected to cover all utilities. Several residents push back against the notion of paying a high monthly rent while also facing additional utility charges, arguing that the arrangement puts a squeeze on those on fixed incomes. The criticism is amplified by notes about price increases tied to annual or ongoing lease changes, including references to a lengthy 77-page lease and updates that are announced without formal resident meetings. One reviewer explicitly accuses the ownership group of treating older residents as if they have abundant money and questions the fairness of a sudden, ongoing utility charge after many years of residency, including a contested billing discrepancy of $217 that allegedly led to eviction pressure. The sentiment, in sum, is that while the property and staff can be excellent, the financial terms feel punitive or out of step with the resident population.

Another set of concerns centers on pests, cleanliness, and general upkeep prior to move-in. Several tenants report ongoing roach problems within apartments, sometimes even in bathrooms or kitchen areas, and describe it as a "very horrible" experience to deal with or witness daily. Some reviews attribute roach issues to substandard construction or improper connections within walls and cabinetry, suggesting that if walls or cabinets aren't properly secured, pests have more easy access. There is also mention of cleanliness issues at the point of turnover - suggesting that apartments aren't always cleaned as thoroughly as they should be before new occupants move in. In conjunction with pest concerns, residents mention dog waste around the property and inconsistent enforcement of animal clean-up by some pet owners, along with occasional complaints about smoking leakage into units and a belief that the management should do more to enforce pet and smoking-related rules.

Security and neighborhood dynamics also come up in these accounts. Reviewers note problems with "people hopping the walls into the complex" and some concerns about outsiders or unwanted visitors, along with a sense that a portion of the security and enforcement duties lies outside the management's control. Smoke from neighboring units was repeatedly cited as an interior nuisance, and there is a sense among residents that while the property has many appealing features, there are ongoing vulnerabilities associated with access, cleanliness, and resident behavior that persist over time.

There are also vivid interpersonal stories about management style, which contribute to a mixed overall picture. One visitor witnessed an interaction in which a manager allegedly yelled at a tenant during a repair coordination, with quotes attributed to the manager that included "I'm not fixing ANYTHING in your apartment," and "If you don't like it, you can just move out." The word "Raquel" appears as the manager in question, and such accounts have led to broader rumors within the community about a difficult atmosphere for residents who run into management issues. Some residents acknowledge that the management team can be fair and even-handed in many situations, while others describe a reputation for temper and a "drama-filled" experience when dealing with certain staff members. The mixture of praise and criticism around management style underscores the complexity of resident sentiment.

On the brighter side, there are consistent testimonials about the positives of living at Zen Diamond / Zen Senior Living. Multiple residents call the community "quiet" and "safe," praising friendly, service-oriented staff and the maintenance crew's reliability. Amenities like a recreation area, television/library space, a sauna, a swimming pool, pool table, and a lounge are repeatedly cited as attractive features that enhance everyday living. Some residents emphasize the professional demeanor of the staff and the sense of belonging that comes from living in a well-kept, pet-friendly environment. There are even emphatic notes from residents who feel the property is "a nice place" overall, with ongoing appreciation for the presence of security patrols and supportive, approachable employees who are accessible and helpful.

Taken together, the collection of experiences presents a nuanced view of Zen Diamond / Zen Senior Living. On one hand, residents consistently praise the on-site team - particularly the property manager and maintenance personnel - for their responsiveness, kindness, and willingness to help. They celebrate the property's upkeep, amenities, and the feeling of safety and community that can make the place feel like home. On the other hand, residents voice serious concerns about cost, the fairness of utility charges, and persistent pest and cleanliness issues that some feel undermine the overall value. The tension between excellent personal service and structural concerns about pricing, lease clarity, and pest control shapes a complex, ongoing lived reality for tenants who call the community home. Some residents even consider legal avenues or relocation options in light of billing disputes and what they view as inconsistent or punitive management practices, all while continuing to acknowledge that, in better moments, Zen Diamond / Zen Senior Living can offer a supportive, friendly, and well-maintained environment.

This area of Hemet, California provides convenient access to various healthcare providers such as Madabhushi Sudha MD and Acclaim Medical Care, as well as pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens. The neighborhood also offers a variety of dining options including J & M Family Restaurant and chains like Burger King and Chili's Grill & Bar. For outdoor recreation, there are several parks nearby such as Mary Henley Park and Valley Wide Regional Park. Additionally, Hemet-Ryan Airport is located within a few miles for any travel needs. Places of worship such as San Jacinto Assembly Of God Church are also easily accessible in the community. Overall, this area offers a blend of medical services, amenities, and leisure activities that may be appealing to seniors considering senior living in Hemet.

Physicians

• Madabhushi Sudha MD (0.2 miles)
• Acclaim Medical Care (1.3 miles)
• Apex Ob/gyn (1.3 miles)
• Access First Urgent Care (1.4 miles)
• Loma Linda University Health (1.4 miles)
• GI Excellence (1.4 miles)
• Brown Hosea E MD (1.4 miles)

Restaurants

• J & M Family Restaurant (0.2 miles)
• Burger King (1.6 miles)
• Chili's Grill & Bar (1.6 miles)
• Little Caesars Pizza (1.6 miles)
• McDonald's (1.7 miles)
• Applebee's (1.8 miles)
• Denny's (1.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Sail Drug Center (1.3 miles)
• Sail Drug. A Good Neighbor Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• Inland Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Medicine World Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Murphy's Rexall Drug (1.6 miles)

Parks

• Mary Henley Park (1.4 miles)
• Mcsweeny Park (2.8 miles)
• Valley Wide Regional Park (3.1 miles)
• Brookfield Park (10.8 miles)
• Lago Vista Sports Park (11 miles)
• Wheatfield Park (11.3 miles)
• Spencers Crossing Sports Park (12.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Hemet Healthcare Surgicenter (1.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.9 miles)
• Starbucks (2.8 miles)
• Starbucks (5 miles)
• Panera Bread (12 miles)
• Starbucks (12.2 miles)

Transportation

• Hemet-Ryan Airport (HMT) (2.7 miles)
• Hemet Model Masters Air Park Terminal (4.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• San Jacinto Assembly Of God Church (4 miles)